Leslie Lemke facts for kids

Leslie Lemke (born January 31, 1952) is a blind American savant. A savant is someone who has amazing skills in one area, like music or math, even if they have other learning challenges. Leslie Lemke is famous for his incredible musical talent.

Leslie Lemke's Early Life

Leslie Lemke was born too early in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1952. Because he was born so early, he had problems with his eyes. He developed a condition called glaucoma, and doctors had to remove his eyes when he was just a few months old. He also had some brain damage, which caused cerebral palsy and made learning difficult for him.

His birth mother gave him up for adoption. A kind nurse named May Lemke decided to adopt him. Leslie faced many challenges. He was 12 years old before he could stand on his own. He learned to walk when he was 15.

May Lemke's Care and Support

Social services warned May Lemke that Leslie might not live long. But May was determined to care for him. She worked very hard to help him eat, sometimes placing cereal on his tongue and gently stroking his throat. It took a whole year before Leslie could chew food by himself.

For many years, Leslie needed constant care. He could sing a little and repeat some words, but he didn't talk much. He seemed distant and didn't show many emotions. He could repeat exactly what he heard, even the tone of voice. To help him walk, May, who was about four and a half feet tall, created a special strap system. This allowed Leslie to be supported while he walked with her.

Discovering Music and Amazing Talent

When Leslie was 7 years old, May and her husband Joe got a piano for him. May would place her hands over Leslie's to help him play simple songs. Soon, Leslie was playing these tunes on his own. He also learned to play other instruments like drums, the accordion, and a chord organ.

Even though his spasticity (stiffness in his muscles) was so severe that he couldn't hold eating utensils, this problem disappeared when he played the piano. It was truly amazing! By the time he was 12, Leslie was playing the piano and singing songs he had heard for hours.

Playing Classical Music by Ear

Leslie didn't often hear classical music. But one night, when he was about 16, his foster parents woke up to the sound of beautiful music. It was Leslie, playing Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto no. 1 perfectly. He had only heard it on television that night! After that, Leslie started playing all kinds of music, from ragtime to classical.

Leslie had an incredible memory for music. He could remember and play any song, no matter how long, perfectly after hearing it just once. He knew countless songs, and two Christian hymns he often sang were "How Great Thou Art" and "Amazing Grace."

As he grew older, Leslie became more talkative and even more skilled in music. He also became more creative and witty. Sometimes, after playing a song he had heard, he would start making up his own version of it. He was known to compose new songs right on the spot, singing them in his baritone voice.

Sharing His Gift with the World

By 1980, Leslie began giving regular concerts in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. His amazing talent brought him fame. He was invited to appear on many television shows, including CBC's Man Alive, the CBS Evening News, 60 Minutes, and That's Incredible!

In 1983, ABC broadcast a TV movie called The Woman Who Willed a Miracle. This drama was about Leslie and his adoptive mother, May Lemke. The famous actress Cloris Leachman played May Lemke in the movie. Leslie is also the subject of a song by Fred Small called "Leslie is Different."

Leslie has traveled around the world, giving concerts in the United States, Scandinavia, and Japan. He often gave free concerts so everyone could enjoy his music.

Later Years

Leslie's adoptive mother, May Lemke, developed Alzheimer's disease and passed away on November 6, 1993. Leslie continues to share his musical gifts.

See also

In Spanish: Leslie Lemke para niños

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